Ocean Freight Manager

DHL Global Forwarding; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 93,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

401(k) match

Stock purchase plan

Medical plan

Vision insurance

Dental coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding is seeking an Ocean Freight Manager in Houston to lead a high-performing team of professionals, focusing on profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. You will oversee P&L, drive growth in local markets, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Ideal candidates bring 6+ years in freight forwarding with 4+ years in Ocean Freight leadership, plus strong strategic and financial acumen to maximize GP and deliver results.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years in the freight forwarding industry, including at least 4 years of leadership experience in Ocean Freight operations.
• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience/qualification.

Responsibilities

• Own the P&L within the area of control and drive GP maximization.
• Grow local market share in collaboration with field sales and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Serve as escalation point for complex customer inquiries and drive timely resolutions.
• Monitor performance and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency.
• Develop and lead a high-performing team aligned with Ocean Freight strategy.
• Cultivate supplier relationships to optimize service delivery and profitability.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Strategic thinking

Customer focus

Financial acumen

Communication

Change management

Team development

Problem solving

KPIs

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

Join our team as an Ocean Freight Manager and embark on an exciting journey as a transformational leader. In this role, you will motivate and inspire a team of freight forwarding professionals, fostering a culture of enthusiasm, innovation, and solutions-oriented thinking. With your visionary leadership, you will think outside the box and drive strategic initiatives, working closely with the National Operations team to achieve exceptional results.

As the Ocean Freight Manager, you oversee a team of Department managers, Supervisors & Ocean Freight Specialists to efficiently execute operational activities while ensuring adherence to service promises and regulatory standards. Focus on maximizing gross profit and productivity, fostering a customer-centric culture, and taking ownership of Profit and Loss (PnL) responsibilities to drive financial performance. Act as a primary escalation point for any exceptions. Conduct regular performance evaluations and proactive monitoring to identify and implement improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Owns the P&L within the specific area of control
• Drive growth in local markets in collaboration with field sales while driving customer satisfaction and retention through regular customer visits, excellent service and swift complaint/escalation management
• 3 rd or 2 nd escalation point depending on local structure for customer complaints and special requests/inquiries and works with internal teams toward resolution
• Ensure service quality, operational excellence by proactively monitoring customer feedback and improving operational performance, oversee process improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency by using the standardize performance tools of DGF.
• Ensure that teams adhere to the Global standard processes when executing shipments
• Build and manages supplier relationships to optimize service delivery and profitability
• Oversee and develop a high-performing team, that is enabled and equipped to resolve issues effectively, while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement
• Oversees the department and leads supervisors and specialists in line with Ocean Freight Strategic objectives
• Ensure teams are adhering to the necessary regulatory compliance procedures relating to commodity and locations for shipments
• Ensure achievement of productivity targets and measures to provide ocean freight services for internal and external customers
• Drive GP maximization with the team through tight financial control
• Develop and maintain business relationships with existing clients, seek potential upsell opportunities, conduct regular customer visits and achieve a desired level of customer retention

Skills / Requirements

• Proven track record of developing, coaching, and mentoring staff to achieve exceptional results
• Success in leading teams through a transition to prioritize customer-centricity and adopt a finance-first mindset
• Demonstrated strategic, transformational, and visionary mindset
• Proactive drive to challenge existing practices and consistently identify opportunities for continuous improvement, aiming to optimize customer satisfaction and enhance profitability
• Strong leadership abilities, including driving KPIs, fostering employee engagement, team building, and inspiring a visionary culture
• Business acumen and commercial drive, with a keen eye for strategic opportunities and growth
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to deliver impactful presentations and effectively convey strategic vision
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, to facilitate strategic analysis and communication
• Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience/qualification
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in the freight forwarding industry, including at least 4 years of leadership experience in Ocean Freight operations.
• Knowledge of the CargoWise system is advantageous, enabling strategic decision-making and operational efficiency

Pay Range: $93,142.50 - $124,190.00+ (Based on Experience)

Benefits (All Non-Union Employees)

• Compensation: Competitive base salary plus role dependent performance-based incentives.
• 401(k) Match: $1-for-$1 match up to 4% quarterly + 2% annual base contribution.
• Stock Purchase Plan: Ability to purchase Deutsche Post AG shares at a discounted rate.
• Medical: Comprehensive plans covering preventive care, inpatient/outpatient services, and prescriptions.
• Vision: Optional coverage for exams, frames, and contacts.
• Dental: Optional coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
• Paid Time Off: 7 major holidays, 8 floating holidays, and accrued vacation/sick days.

Why Join DHL Global Forwarding?

At DHL Global Forwarding, we invest in our employees' growth, providing training, guidance, and career advancement opportunities. We believe in building careers, not just jobs, and empowering our team to develop skills and achieve long-term success.

Be part of DHL Group, the world's leading logistics provider, operating in 220+ countries. DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is a global leader in air and ocean freight, with 30,000+ employees ensuring seamless transport and supply chain solutions. Explore careers with us: DHL Careers .

Equal Opportunity Employer

DHL Global Forwarding is committed to equal employment opportunities, evaluating all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

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